Resident handbook
Admissions
Occupancy Agreement
Your Occupancy Agreement is your residence contract. It is included with your offer of residence to Graduate House, and the policies detailed in this handbook form a part of this agreement so make sure to read through everything carefully. The Occupancy Agreement outlines the terms and conditions of your stay here at Graduate House, the dates of occupancy, fees, and policies related to your stay.
Eligibility & Admission Criteria
Fall & Winter Term (September 1, 2024-April 30, 2025)
For academic-year residency (September to April), Graduate House only accepts UofT students whose ACORN registration status confirms that they are enrolled in a full-time UofT degree program in either 1) The School of Graduate Studies or 2) One of the second-entry professional faculties, during the period of intended residency. Any applicants who have accepted an offer of residence and who are found to be ineligible will be advised that their Fall term residence space is revoked.
Academic Year (September 1, 2024-August 23, 2025)
For academic-year residency (September to April), Graduate House only accepts UofT students whose ACORN registration status confirms that they are enrolled in a full-time UofT degree program in either 1) The School of Graduate Studies or 2) One of the second-entry professional faculties, during the period of intended residency. Any applicants who have accepted an offer of residence and who are found to be ineligible will be advised that their Fall term residence space is revoked.
The default occupancy end date for residents who begin occupancy in Fall term is August 23, 2025. Students who wish to end occupancy on April 30th must submit a Notice of Withdrawal, in writing, at least two months prior to the intended withdrawal date.
Summer Term (May 1, 2025 – August 23, 2025)
During the summer term, Graduate House expands its eligibility policy to admit current students of other post-secondary institutions (both graduate and undergraduate) as well as alumni of UofT. Proof of student status is required prior to move-in. To minimize high summer turnover which would be disruptive to Graduate House’s academically-focused community environment, summer residents must commit to a minimum 6 week stay at Graduate House. Summer residents must also vacate no later than August 23, 2025 at 3pm, to allow time for Graduate House to prepare suites for new residents arriving in September.
Admission Principles
Academic Community
As a graduate and professional student community we offer an intellectually-engaging and academically focused atmosphere well-suited to graduate and professional students. As such we:
- Try to minimize high summer turnover which may disrupt our community by requiring summer residents to commit to a minimum 6-week stay at Graduate House.
- Require residents to be full-time students or meet our eligibility criteria during the Fall and Winter terms.
Access to Accessible Accommodations
Graduate House recognizes that students with accessibility needs may require accommodation. If you have an accessibility requirement, please register with UofT’s Accessibility Services as soon as possible. Admitted students with accommodation requests must provide recommendations from Accessibility Services to support the accommodation requested. Please note that we have a limited number of rooms that are suitable for mobility or sensory impairments. These rooms are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Religious/Other Accommodations
If you have any specific religious or other accommodations, we will work with you and work to accommodate your needs as much as possible. Please speak to your RA to find out how we can help.
All Gender Suites
Graduate House offers residents the choice to live in a Single Gender or an All Gender Suite. A Single Gender suite is a suite where residents share the same gender identity (i.e. female identified students only, male identified students only). An All Gender Suite is a suite where students live regardless of their gender identity. Note that we cannot guarantee that every All Gender Suite will have mixed genders.
Application Process
Applications for the 2024 – 2025 academic year open early January and will be available on StarPortal. Offers for new residents for the beginning of the academic year (September 1) are made starting in June through August. Additionally, offers for new residents are made on an ongoing basis throughout the entire academic year.
Staying Beyond Your Contract Date
When you first apply to residence at Graduate House, you select a contract period that ends no later than August 23rd. If you would like to stay into the next academic year, you will need to submit a new application.
GCPS Returning Applicants must apply by the May 31st deadline to qualify for priority status. Residents who apply after the May 31st deadline will be added to the General Applicant pool with all new applicants. Unfortunately, no deadline extensions in this case are possible.
Offers of residence for returning residents are made by the end of June each year. Returning residents must confirm their offer by the deadline stated in their offer email. Residents who wish to request an extension for an residence offer should contact admissions.gradhouse@utoronto.ca.
Early Withdrawal
As per the Occupancy Agreement, residents must give Graduate House at least two (2) full months’ notice of their intention to withdraw, and the date on which they intend to move out, which shall become the “Date of Withdrawal.”
Formal notice of early withdrawal can only be provided via the Early Withdrawal Form on StarPortal. (Please note: You are financially responsible up until the date that you provide on your Early Withdrawal form; although, you can move your belongings before this date). Further details related to the financial implications of early withdrawal are outlined in the Occupancy Agreement.
Once you have given your notice, take the following steps to prepare for your move out (and avoid unexpected cleaning and damage charges).